The eighth “American Idol” season finale is set. And one of the two contestants reached the show’s end against many critics’ better judgement.
Though other favorites, such as Alexis Grace and Lil Rounds, received attention early, as the competition developed, it started to build towards a Danny Gokey-Adam Lambert finale. Both were polarizing (with the polarity undoubtedly amplified by what many considered “unfair pimping” of the contestants by the judges), yet both were undoubtedly very talented and seemed to be on pace for a final showdown.
But, for as inevitable as that showdown seemed, another contestant spent the season quietly building one of the most committed fanbases in the show’s eight year history. After coming out of nowhere to beat out hyped contestants like Megan Joy Corkrey and Matt Giraud on the night of Group 2 semifinals, Allen spent much of the season free of the bottom three. He appeared there on Top 5 night but ultimately avoided elimination.
Now, very likely thanks to a universally-acclaimed rendition of Kanye West’s “Heartless,” he is in the finale. Allen will square off against longtime frontrunner Adam Lambert for the “Idol” crown. Danny Gokey received strong reviews for “You Are So Beautiful,” his second performance, but the judge praise was not enough to keep him alive.
Lambert undoubtedly enters the competition as a sizable favorite, but with only one million votes separating their vote totals this week, no one is in a position to count Kris Allen out.
The finale begins next Tuesday at 8PM.